High school soccer: After finishing second at state in 2013, Del Valle seeks another title shot

Last season, the Del Valle Conquistadores got better as the season went along and the result was a second-place finish at the Class 4A state soccer tournament where they lost 1-0 to Waco University.

This season, the Conquistadores hope for a return trip to the state tournament and a state championship. Under head coach Bruce Reichman, Del Valle won state titles in 2005 and 2008.

"We have a good, hard-working group," Reichman said. "We just have to continue to get better and keep working hard. We lost some key players and we'll have to have some new guys step up and do some good things."

The Conquistadores did lose several key players, including midfielders Gerardo Perez and Axel Aguayo and forward Rafael Montez.

"We believe we have some good young players that will help us and the veteran players that do return have lots of experience and they will be players that we will depend on a great deal," Reichman said.

Added Portillo: "We've built a strong tradition here at Del Valle and our goal is to get back to the state tournament. We have a good group of players and we're going to work hard. El Paso has a lot of talent here and we play tough teams that will help us get better every time out."

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Del Valle enters the season ranked No. 1 in Region 1-4A, according to the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches, and No. 4 in the state.

"We can't take anything for granted," Portillo said. "We know we have to continue to build toward winning district and doing well in the playoffs. Last season, we peaked in the playoffs and that's what we hope for this year."

Other top teams in the city in Class 4A are Eastlake and Riverside, which are also listed in the preseason rankings for the region. Eastlake is ranked No. 4 and Riverside is No. 6.

On the girls side, Chapin and Del Valle are ranked No. 7 and No. 10, respectively, in the Region 1-4A rankings. Other top teams in the city to look out for are Eastlake, Jefferson, Franklin and El Dorado.

"It'll be another strong year of soccer in El Paso," Reichman said. "We are fortunate because we get to play so many top teams that help us prepare for postseason play. There are a number of teams that can make it far in the postseason."

The season gets underway Thursday with several tournaments for both girls and boys both in and out town."